On Friday, it emerged that lawyers representing Paddy Jackson would take libel action against a Labour Party senator.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin had tweeted his support for the woman at the centre of the recent rape trial, which was held at Belfast Crown Court, furthermore making references to “smug well-connected middle-class boys”.
https://twitter.com/Rusalka343/status/979804975177064448
On Wednesday, Paddy Jackson was found not guilty of all charges against him.
Still, the decision to take legal action against the politician has prompted the emergence of a new hashtag on Twitter: #SueMePaddy.
Loving this hashtag #SueMePaddy the women and men of Ireland are the best in the world 😂
— Sarah 🔮 (@SarahNolan_x) March 30, 2018
On Friday evening, the hashtag was the No.1 trending topic in Ireland – with thousands of people contributing to the conversation.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Paddy Jackson’s lawyers had said they had no option but to issue a Notice of Intention to sue Mr Ó Ríordáin “for defamatory comments”.
#SueMePaddy pic.twitter.com/v8bMgVrzl6
— Annie West (@anniewestdotcom) March 30, 2018
RTÉ News quotes Senior Associate Marie Hans of KRW LAW solicitors as adding: “We will not hesitate to repeat similar legal action against anyone, who deliberately or otherwise, sees fit to attack our client.
On foot of defamation proceedings issued by Paddy Jackson it appears #SueMePaddy is now gaining traction and trending.
— Ciaran Moynagh ⚖ (@CiaranMoy) March 30, 2018
“We are examining carefully every item of social media commentary which seeks to challenge the integrity of the jury’s full endorsement of our client’s innocence. High court proceedings will issue shortly in both Belfast and Dublin.”
#suemePaddy is trending in the number one spot. A remarkable achievement by Paddy Jackson's legal team.
— Gavin Elliott (@sgelliott) March 30, 2018
Mr Ó Riordáin told RTÉ News that he has no comment to make on the matter.
